Graduate Student Commencement

Judy Smith, a leading crisis management advisor and the inspiration for the TV series "Scandal," will deliver Lasell's 161st Commencement address on May 17, 2015. Best known in media circles as a crisis management strategist, Smith, the founder and President of her own strategic and crisis communications firm Smith & Company, has served as a consultant for many high profile, celebrity and entertainment clients including Monica Lewinsky, NFL quarterback Michael Vick, and the family of Chandra Levy. She has also counseled Fortune 500 corporations and provided strategic advice on a variety of corporate communications issues, working with such companies as BellSouth, Union Pacific, Nextel, and United Healthcare. Smith serves as Co-Executive Producer of "Scandal."

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

The Commencement ceremony will be held on Taylor Field Sunday, May 17, 2015, beginning at 11 a.m.All graduates who are participating in Commencement should meet in the main lobby of the Wolfe Academic Building on the day of Commencement no later than 9:30 a.m. During this time graduates will line up in preparation for the ceremony. Students should not bring handbags or personal items as there is no way to secure the line up room during the ceremony.

GRADUATE PROGRAM RECEPTION

Please join faculty, staff and members of the Class of 2015 on Thursday, May 14th from 6-8 p.m. in the Glow Lounge in Winslow Hall for the Graduate Program Reception. You are welcome to invite 2 guests to accompany you to this lovely cocktail reception. RSVP is required.

GRADUATE PROGRAM BREAKFAST

We also invite you and your family and friends to be our guests at the Graduate Program Breakfast the morning of Commencement. Join us in Boomer's (Valentine Dining Hall) on Sunday, May 17th from 8-9:30 a.m. for some light breakfast fare. RSVP is required.

RSVP with guest numbers to Gillian Stanley by Friday, May 1, 2015 617-243-2233 or gstanley@lasell.edu if you plan to attend one or both events.

PRIOR TO GRADUATION

All May graduates should have completed their Intent to Graduate form through the Office of the Registrar. If you have not yet done so, contact the Office of the Registrar immediately at 617-243-2133 or at registrar@lasell.edu.

GRADUATE STUDENT SPEAKER SELECTION

Information will be available in February 2015.

CAPS AND GOWNS

The deadline to order your cap and gown is April 4th

Caps and gowns will be available through the Bookstore. The package will include a gown, cap, tassel and hood: the cost is $66. Caps and gowns can be picked up in the bookstore or shipped directly to you (please add $8.90 for direct shipping).

To order, contact the Bookstore at 617-243-2182 or by email at lasellbookstore@lasell.edu. When placing your order, you will need to know your height, weight, and the degree you will be receiving.

COMMENCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Beginning in April graduates can go the Office of Graduate Programs and Professional Studies, located on the 2nd floor of Klingbeil - 142 Woodland Rd., and pick up five (5) free Commencement announcements to send to their family and friends. For students who are unable to get to campus, announcements can be mailed to you. To make arrangements to pick up your announcements or have them mailed to you, contact Gillian Stanley, Associate Director of Graduate Student Services at 617-243-2233 or gstanley@lasell.edu. Note: These are not tickets as tickets are not required.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

The ceremony is scheduled to take place under a tent on Taylor Field. There is no limit to the number of people each graduate student may bring to Commencement, and tickets are not required. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis.

COMMENCEMENT JUMBOTRONS

The Commencement ceremony features two giant Jumbotrons allowing graduates and their families to clearly view the ceremony and all its festivities.

Graduate students who plan to participate in the ceremony are invited to submit pictures to be included in the photo montage shown prior to the start of the ceremony.

Students are encouraged to submit photos of themselves documenting their lives as they have worked to complete their graduate degree.

How about a picture of you in your home office, local library, on your personal computer, on campus in Glow Lounge or, wearing some Lasell gear?

Do you have any photos of activities you may have engaged in on campus?

Do you have any photos with other students?

Do you have any photos while you were at Lasell that include you and your family, friends, pets?

There is no limit to the number of photos you can submit. This is a wonderful way to celebrate your accomplishment and those who supported you along the way. You on the BIG screen on your BIG day!

HOTEL INFORMATION

CAMPUS DIRECTIONS

Lasell College is easily accessible by both car and public transportation. Please refer to the campus directions.

COMMENCEMENT PARKING

The large number of people attending the Lasell College Commencement Ceremony requires us to provide additional parking off campus. Parking for family members and their guests will be located at the Riverside Office Park, 275 Grove Street, Newton. Shuttle transportation between Riverside Office Park and the College campus will be provided throughout the day, starting at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m.

We encourage guests to allow ample time to reach the Riverside Office Park, get your vehicle to the designated lot and then make your way to Taylor Field when you arrive on campus. In order to be in your seat under the Commencement tent by the start of the academic procession at 11 a.m., we recommend that you arrive at the Riverside Office Park no later than 10 a.m.

PARKING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND MOBILITY ISSUES

Parking is available in a reserved area for guests who have state-issued handicapped license plates or handicapped placards. Those individuals may park their vehicles in the Winslow lower parking lot (by the entrance to Campus Police), off of Maple Street. The handicapped license plate or placard must be easily visible to the Campus Police officers when approaching that area. Golf carts will be stationed in that reserved parking area, in order to transport people with disabilities and mobility issues to the Commencement tented area.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Persons needing special accommodations for mobility issues should contact the Office of Plant Operations at 617-243-2220, or email Roxey Connelly at rconnelly@lasell.edu.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY PRONUNCIATION

If you believe that either your first or last name has unique pronunciation, or is pronounced differently than it is spelled, please send an email to Vice President of Academic Affairs Jim Ostrow at jostrow@lasell.edu. Be sure to leave phone number where you can be reached if follow up is required. Also please specify whether we should announce your middle name, middle initial or not announce it at all. Note the deadline for receiving email information on how to pronounce you name is Monday, May 11th.